On 21st August, 1980, a group of some 30 people attended a meeting in the Moonta Town Hall to form a motorcycle club. The Moonta Dirt Bike Club was born.
Since its inception the club has undergone many changes. The first event was held on Jones's paddock near Rocky Bend on the Maitland Road, with Phillip Jones and Mark Skinner being successful. Fastest lap was won by John Osborn and Lyndon Kemp in the juniour section.
These humble beginnings seem a far cry from when a field of 120-plus riders came from Leigh Creek, Adelaide, Clare and Crystal Brook for a meeting.
A trail ride and a points event were conducted each month, much the same as today. In 1981, land for a track was procured and members built the circuit using equipment provided by local farmers and Council. A tower to monitor the races was constructed by Tim Eastwood and Trevor White in 1983.
In July 1985, Tim Eastwood set up an enduro course in the Hummocks. It was this event that began the tradition of an annual interclub event.
|
|
Australian and South Australian champions have all competed at these events over the past three decades. Around this time Tim also encouraged the club to travel to Victoria to ride in the high country around Heyfield.
Each year since, members have traveled back to Heyfield to ride with the locals, and in 1998, spent a day riding with Mika Ahola, the then World Champion from Finland.
The riding in this area is hard and demanding but everyone who has participated has come back a much better rider. Tulsa Osborn, Clint Eastwood, Robert Stevens and Brodie Chamberlain all ventured over when they were around 12 years old and learned much in the short time there.
Riders from the MDBC have honoured the club with outright wins and placings against formidable opposition.
The club's most points shield sports names of past and present champions - Paul Goerecke, Trevor Sandercock, John Osborn, Paul Gloede, Michael Ireland, Steve Chamberlain, Kym Shields, Tulsa Osborn, Tim Eastwood and Andrew Stevens.
|
The best club person shield shows the names of past and present members who have put their all into the club at various times - Anthony Hage, Tim Eastwood, John Osborn, Kym Shields, Kaylene Osborn, Rod Leicester, Janine Stevens and Andrew Stevens.
In 1998, Moonta, Clare and Leigh Creek clubs formed a Tri Series Pony Express Championship. This event has gone from strength to strength, with Crystal Brook club being admitted in 1999.
Original competitors since the club's inception, Tim Eastwodd and John Osborn, are still riding, although not as fast! Tim and John won the Northern Zone Pony Express Championship in the over 35 class in 1998 and 1999.
The club received a government grant in 2001 and purchased a tractor with a grader attachment to upkeep the track. In 2005, the club relocated to the Wallaroo Road site . The club has gone from strength to strength since and with the purchase of a front end loader the track is better still. A new clubroom was built and more amenities are being added each year. |
